Gloria Estefan

Estefan was born Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García on September 1, 1957, in Havana, Cuba, to José and Gloria Fajardo. Her maternal grandparents were Spanish immigrants to Cuba — her maternal grandfather, Leonardo García, immigrated to Cuba from Pola de Siero, Asturias, Spain, where he married Gloria's maternal grandmother, originally from Logroño, Spain. Prior to the Cuban Revolution, her father was a Cuban soldier and a bodyguard to Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.

The Fajardo family fled to Miami, Florida as a result of the Cuban Revolution and settled down there. Shortly after they moved to the United States, Gloria's father joined the U.S. military and fought in the Vietnam War and moved to Houston, Texas, also having participated in the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion. Gloria attended St. Michael-Archangel School[5] and Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami.

Her father became ill after returning from Vietnam and Gloria helped her mother, Gloria Fajardo, care for him. Her mother worked as a schoolteacher for the Dade County Public School system. Gloria Estefan graduated from college in 1979 with a BA in psychology, with a minor in French, from the University of Miami.

When she was studying at the university, she worked as an English/Spanish/French translator at Miami International Airport Customs Department and, because of her language abilities, was once approached by the CIA as a possible employee. Estefan was raised Catholic.

Gloria's first grade teacher Ms.Collins helped Gloria learn English and fit in as the only non-American student in class.
In 2006 Gloria wrote the book Noelle's Treasure Tale.
Gloria was given a guitar at 12 and it became her comfort.
Gloria's father was poisoned by Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam.
Gloria entered the University of Miami in 1975 with partial scholarships.
Gloria's mother worked at a local school when Gloria was a child.
Gloria's younger sister is Rebecca.
Gloria took care of her father when he had Multiple Sclerosis.
Gloria's father Jose was involved in the Bay of Pigs Invasion and spent 18 months in prison.
In 1995 Gloria sang the song "Mas Alla" for the 50th year anniversary of Pope John Paul II priesthood. Gloria asked the Pope to pray for free Cuba.
In 1990, Gloria's tour bus was hit by a tractor-trailer. Gloria broke her back in the accident.
Gloria has been a singer since 1977.
Gloria Estefan's son is Nayib.
Gloria is known as the "Queen of Latin Pop".
Gloria Estefan's song "Reach" was the offical theme of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta Georgia.
She was the first Hispanic woman to be named BMI songwriter of the year.
In 2005 she wrote her first book, The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog.
Gloria has a band, The Miami Sound Machine.
Gloria has once worked in the US Customs Service in the Miami airport as a translator.
Gloria has appeared already 3 times in The Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Gloria is 5' 2" (1.57 m).
Gloria and her husband, Emilio Estefan Jr., have 2 children: Nayib (born on September 2, 1980) and Emily Marie (born on December 5, 1994).
Gloria is married to Emilio Estefan Jr. since September 2, 1978.
Gloria has covered these songs:
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me (by Elton John)
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me (by Mel Carter).
Everlasting Love (by Robert Knight)
It's Too Late (by Carole King)

80's Hits

Can't Stay Away from You

Conga

Album:

Primitive Love
(1986)

Lyrics:

Come on , shake your body baby, do the conga
I know you can't control yourself any longer
Come on , shake your body baby, do the conga
I know you can't control yourself any longer

Come on , shake your body baby, do the conga
I know you can't control yourself any longer
Feel the rhythm of the music getting stronger
Don't you fight it 'til you tried it, do that conga beat

Everbody gather 'round now
Let your body feel the heat
Don't you worry if you can't dance;
Let the music move your feet

It's the rhythm of the island, and like the sugar cane so sweet
If you want to do the conga, you've got to listen to the beat

Come on , shake your body baby, do the conga
I know you can't control yourself any longer
Feel the rhythm of the music getting stronger
Don't you fight it 'til you tried it, do that conga beat

Feel the fire of desire, as you dance the night away
'Cause tonight were gonna party, 'til we see the break of day

Better get yourself together, and hold on to what you've got
Once the music hits your system, there's no way your gonna stop

(repeat 3x's) Come on , shake your body baby, do the conga
I know you can't control yourself any longer
Feel the rhythm of the music getting stronger
Don't you fight it 'til you tried it, do that conga beat

Come on , shake your body baby, do the conga

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Get On Your Feet

Album:

Cuts Both Ways
(1989)

Lyrics:

You say I know it's a waste of time
There's no use trying
So scared that life's gonna pass you by
Your spirit dying
Not long ago
I could feel your strength and your devotion
What was so clear, is now overcast
With mixed emotions
Deep in your heart is the answer
Find it, I know it will pull you through

Get on your feet
Get up and make it happen
Get on your feet
Stand up and take some action

I think it's true that we've all been through
Some nasty weather
Let's understand that we're here
To handle things together
You gotta keep looking onto tomorrow
There's so much in life
That's meant for you

Get on your feet
Get up and make it happen
Get on your feet
Stand up and take some action
Get on your feet
Don't stop before it's over
Get on your feet
The weight is off your shoulder

Get up and make it happen
Stand up, stand up, stand up and take some action
Gotta get on your feet, yeah, yeah
Don't stop before it's over
Get on your feet
The weight is off your shoulder
Get on your feet
Get up, get up, get up and make it happen
Get on your feet
Stand up , stand up and take some action
Get on your feet

Holiday

Christmas Through Your Eyes

Album:

Christmas Through Your Eyes
(1993)

Lyrics:

Till I had you I didn't know
That I was missing out
Had to grow up and see the world
Through different shades of doubt
Give me one more chance to dream again
One more chance to feel again
Through your young heart
If only for one day help me try

I wanna see Christmas through your eyes
I want everything to be
The way it used to be
Back to being a child again
Thinking the world was mine
I wanna see Christmas
Christmas through your eyes

I see the rain, you see the rainbow
Hiding in the clouds
Never afraid to let your love show
Won't you show me how
Wanna learn how to believe again
Find the innocence in me again
Through your young heart
Help me find a way, help me try

I wanna see Christmas;
I wanna see Christmas
I wanna see Christmas through your eyes

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Love on Layaway

Album:

All-Star Christmas
(2000)

Lyrics:

If I could only have one wish this holiday
Without a second thought I'd have to say
That you can't find what I want in any store
I just want you to be mine and nothing more

No brand new clothes could fill my lonely soul
When the snow falls on the ground and it gets cold
No expensive gift you put under my tree
Will keep me warm this holiday if you're not holding me

I don't want diamond rings, perfume or brand new shoes
Baby, all I want for Christmas is you

Santa bring on your sleigh just for me this holiday
The one I want and make my dreams come true
I'll be good every day, I'll put some love on layaway
And spend it all this Christmas on you